BOISE, Idaho — The last several months might feel like a lifetime, but the last several weeks of the Idaho high school football season has flown by. It's now week eight - the final week of the regular season for the 5A, leaving teams like the Rocky Mountain Grizz and Eagle Mustangs chomping at the bit to snatch a spot in the state playoffs.
In the 4A SIC, it's the second to last week of the season and four teams have a shot at state, but none of them control their own destinies.
And then there were two after the dust settled on week eight.
Four teams entered 4A Southern Idaho Conference play on Friday tied for first. Two teams exited play Friday still tied atop the standings although technically Emmett has an edge over Bishop Kelly by virtue of a 40-34 win earlier this season.
Middleton did its part to shake things up, pulling away from visiting Nampa 37-21 on Friday.
Final Scores:
Capital Eagles 22, Borah Lions 18
The Eagles (4-0) staved off the Lions' upset attempt, clinching the 5A Southern Idaho Conference East Division title.
Justus Del Rio hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Avery Downey to extend Capital's lead to 22-12 with 10:01 to go in the fourth quarter.
Borah (0-4) scored to pull within the final margin.
The Lions scored on a Parker Rushton touchdown to take an early 6-0 lead.
Capital took the lead for good at 7-6 when Downey scored on a 13-yard scamper.
Boise Brave 13, Ridgvue Warhawks 6
The Warhawks (3-5) rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit to knock off the visiting Brave (1-4) in a nonleague game. The Warhawks passed for 258 yards.
Eagle Mustangs 56, Centennial Patriots 0
The Mustangs (4-1, 4-1) wrapped up second place in the 5A SIC West Division with the lopsided win over the Patriots (0-5, 0-5).
Emmett Huskies 33, Columbia Wildcats 28
The Huskies (6-2, 5-1) remained in first place by holding off the Wildcats (2-4, 2-4) in a 4A SIC game.
Columbia led 14-7 early before the Huskies pulled even and then away.
Homedale Trojans 31, Weiser Wolverines 28
Garden Valley Wolverines vs. Horsehoe Bend Mustangs
Melba 47, Nampa Christian 12
Crown the Mustangs (5-1, 4-0) champions.
For the first time since 2004, Melba captured the Western Idaho Conference championship, cruising past the Trojans (3-5, 1-2) .
Melba got out to a 33-0 lead and was never threatened.
The Mustangs piled up 620 yards of total offense, 461 coming on the ground. Zane Helm led Melba with 198 yards rushing on 16 carries and Trace Stimpson had 160 rushing and four touchdowns. Quarterback Henry Clark passes for 158 yards.
Landon Cheney led Nampa Christian, passing for 184 yards.
Middleton Vikings 37, Nampa Bulldogs 21
The Vikings (5-3, 3-3) took a 37-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
Ky McClure led Middleton, passing for 197 yards on 25-of-39 attempts and one touchdown and rushing for another 121 yards. Brock Phillips added 106 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
Middleton bottled up Nampa's rushing attack. Quarterback Isaak Plew led the Bulldogs (4-2, 4-2) with 132 yards and a touchdown.
New Plymouth Pilgrims 46, Cole Valley Chargers 14
The Pilgrims (4-3, 2-1) were too much for the Chargers (3-3, 1-2) in a WIC game.
Spencer Lyman led the Pilgrims with 132 yards rushing and a touchdown, Javon Lindeman added 110 yards and Erin Vian and Bailey Hite combined for 127 and four touchdowns.
Parma Panthers 0, McCall-Donnelly Vandals 31
Fruitland Grizzlies 52, Payette Pirates 6
Notus Pirates 52, Wilder Wildcats 0
The Pirates (7-0, 4-0) captured the 1A Division I Western Idaho Conference title, cruising past the Wildcats (4-3, 2-1).
Carter Woodland led Notus with 178 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Mack Shimondle added two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Julian Gallegos and Kieran Miraz combined for 10 tackles and two sacks to lead the Pirates' defense.
Filer Wildcats 0, Delco Hornets 50
Mountain Home Tigers 6, Twin Falls Bruins 51
Minico Spartans 27, Canyon Ridge Riverhawks 7
Idaho City Wildcats 48, Tri-Valley Titans 12
Kuna Kavemen 14, Mountain View Mavericks 44
The Mavericks (2-3, 2-3) opened a 37-6 lead, cruising past the visiting Kavemen (1-5, 1-4) in a 5A SIC West Division game.
Quarterback Jake Farris led Mountain View with 289 yards on 18-of-25 attempts and two touchdowns. Quintez Evans rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown.
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies 31 vs. Meridian Warriors 14
Timberline Wolves 20 vs. Skyview Hawks 28
The Hawks (3-2, 3-1) held off the Wolves (2-2, 2-2) to capture second in the 5A SIC East Division.
Quarterback Clayton Franssen led Skyview, passing for 117 yards and rushing for 84 yards including three touchdowns.
Vallivue Falcons 12 vs. Bishop Kelly Knights 35
Valley Vikings 50, Wendell Hornets 14
Oakley Hornets 50, Lighthouse Christian Lions 18
Challis Vikings 6, Grace Grizzlies 46
Camas County Mushers 70, Hagerman Pirates 12
Murtaugh Red Devils 48, Glenns Ferry Pilots 14